Astronomy and Astrophysics

News about astronomy and astrophysics, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

May. 11, 2013

Texas Star Party draws more than 500 amateur astronomers from across United States and Canada to gaze into open sky full of stars; party, in its 34th year, is run by volunteers from astronomy clubs all across Texas, with support from University of Texas' McDonald Observatory. MORE

May. 10, 2013

Stargazers flock to observation points in New York area for Amateur Astronomer Association's annual Spring Starfest; event is kickoff to warm-weather sky-viewing season. MORE

Mar. 11, 2013

Clyde Haberman Baking Bread column on Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, who warns recent cosmic activity could imperil Earth, and that government should pay more attention to the universe as a whole. MORE

Feb. 28, 2013

Kit Eaton App Smart column highlights apps for iOS and Android for the amateur astronomer. MORE

Jun. 5, 2012

Astronomy buffs and academics are setting up viewing sites across New York City in the hopes of seeing rare astronomical event known as the transit of Venus, in which planet can be seen moving across the face of the Sun; event occurs in pairs about once every century and will not take place again until 2117. MORE

May. 30, 2012

Maureen Dowd Op-Ed column observes that in light of the many depictions of the end of times in popular culture, paranoia may be inevitable; describes conversation with a NASA astronomer, who dismisses possibility of cosmic destruction. MORE

May. 29, 2012

Impending transit of Venus across the face of the Sun will not occur again for 105 years; event, no longer scientifically significant, caused a sensation in 1769 when scientists used it to make the first accurate estimation of the distance to the Sun. MORE

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As Earth Day approaches, Education Life asked: What makes this planet so remarkable? In response, NASA and the American Museum of Natural History looked to the stars; College of the Atlantic was more down to Earth. Test your knowledge.